Page 56 of Crave

“So, I’m thinking of sending you this year. I’d really like to expand even more in the southeast. Maybe the two of us can go this fall if you think it’s worth it.”

I nod as I look past Dad’s head and through the window to the parking lot.

“Oh, and don’t forget your aunt and uncle are having their annual summer kickoff barbecue this Saturday. You’ll need to be there. No excuses, Jacob, and no shenanigans this time.” I tune him out as he continues to speak. I nod every few seconds and slyly check my phone again.

“Do you hear me? And why the hell do you keep looking at your damn phone? You’re worse than Tiffany.” Tiffany is my seventeen year old cousin. The only daughter and the apple of Uncle John’s eye. He married Aunt Theresa a couple of years after his first wife died. He was never able to have kids with his first wife, so when Tiffany came along, uncle John was beside himself.

My dad has always been very close to his twin brother, and my uncle has always been like a second father to me and my brothers. He’s always been especially close to Troy, and he and his wife act more like in-laws to Tracy than my own parents. My father has always been cordial, but not my mother, and to keep the peace at home, Dad always keeps a cold distance when it comes to Tracy.

“Don’t worry about it, old man. I promised them I’d be there.”

“Good. Good. Tiffany is considering NYU so I need you and your brothers to convince her that BC is a much better choice.”

“Dad, if Tiffany wants my advice, she knows how to reach me.” My phone vibrates and Sandy’s name flashes on the screen. “Are we done?” I ask, not waiting for an answer as I get up and walk out of his office.

“Hey, gorgeous.”

“Hey, yourself. I just pulled into the parking lot.”

I instruct her to park in one of the parking spots marked guest as I make my way through the lobby and out the front door.

I spot her car as she’s stepping out. I don’t even take a second to see what she’s wearing, but I sprint over to her, lift her clear off the ground and kiss her as if my life depended on it.

“Come on. I’ll show you around before we go to lunch.” I grab her hand and start to walk, but she doesn’t move. Instead, she looks at the building, uncertain. “What’s the matter?”

“I made us lunch,” she says, pointing to her car.

“You did? I don’t remember the last time someone other than my mother made me lunch.” I walk back to her car and pull out the huge bag. “We can eat in my office.”

We hold hands as we walk inside the building. Sandy’s walking slower than normal and by the time we reach the lobby, I practically have to drag her along.

“Don’t tell me you’re shy. What happened to the little spitfire who slapped me not even two weeks ago?”

“Did you bring me here to try and fix me up with another man? She’ll come back out if you did.”

I pull her closer to my side. “Nope. You’re all mine.”

As soon as we arrive in the lobby, we’re accosted by a group of people on their way out to lunch. Chief among them is Carol Healy, Dad’s personal assistant.

“Carol, this is Sandy, my girlfriend.” Sandy looks at me, a surprised smile lifting the corners of her mouth. “She’s Gabrielle Etienne’s daughter.”

“Nice to meet you, Sandy. I met your mom and sister a while back.”

I introduce her to the rest of the group. With a sigh of relief, I wave at them as they finally walk through the front door. I put my arm around Sandy’s shoulder and steer her toward my office, only for us to run right into my father and Troy.

Dad comes to an abrupt stop when he sees us, and Troy nearly collides into his back. I resist the urge to laugh in his face when I see his eyes widen in surprise. He looks from me and Sandy to Dad, as if expecting Dad to confirm what he’s seeing.

Dad recovers first. He walks over to us and pulls Sandy out of my arms and hugs her tight.

“Sandy! I’m so happy to see you again. What brings you here?” He gives me a wink, and this time I shake my head at him.

“Uh, well, I’m here for…I’m here—” Sandy starts to stutter and looks to me for help.

“She’s meeting me for lunch. Excuse us.” I intertwine our fingers together and start to walk around them, but Dad blocks us. He looks at our joined hands with raised eyebrows and wide eyes.

“Jake, I was just in your office. You didn’t mention a lunch date, but now all that phone checking makes sense. Why don’t the four of us have lunch together? Sandy, you remember my oldest son, Troy.” Troy reaches out to shake Sandy’s hand. No one else notices, but she hesitates before taking it.

“Yes, I remember. Hello, Troy. And it’s nice to see you again, Mr. Clark.”

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